Gave away the baby due to poverty, says mother

Won’t repeat the mistake, she says

B. Sunitha and Jaya Krishna, who allegedly sold their baby girl to an issueless couple a few days ago, on Tuesday said they had done so due to poverty.

Ms. Sunitha gave the baby to P. David and Bheema Bai of Kakinada on February 9 and registered the agreement with the Joint Sub-Registrar. After a week, they cancelled the agreement and took the child B. Dhanalakshmi back.

In a statement given to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), she reportedly confessed that she could not bring up the child due to poverty.

“However, Sunitha assured us that she will not repeat the mistake and the government can take action if they do it again,” said a CWC member.

Krishna district CWC Chairman B.V.S. Kumar said the biological couple were bound over and the police were asked to conduct an inquiry into the issue.

Mediator’s role

Women Development and Child Welfare (WD&CW) district Project Director K. Krishna Kumari said the staff of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) were asked to collect the family history of both the families.

“During inquiry, it was revealed that Sunitha delivered the baby six months ago in the Government Hospital, Vijayawada. But it was not clear how the parents had contacted David’s family. We suspect the role of a mediator. As per law, we handed over the baby to the parents for safe custody now,” Ms. Krishna Kumari said.

Documents seized

District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Ch. Vijay Kumar said the registration papers relating to the illegal adoption were seized. A complaint had been lodged with the Two Town police and the case was under investigation, he told The Hindu .

“Instructions have been given to the ICPS staff and Anganwadi workers to track the movements of Sunitha’s family. We will shift the baby to the government-run Sishu Gruha if child rights are violated under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015,” Ms. Krishna Kumari said.